Resources

Shortly after the miracle of feeding the 5000 Jesus’ disciples stood at a crossroads. Would they continue to follow the Lord or leave like others had done (John 6:66)? Peter fervently declares he will stay because Jesus Christ has the “words of eternal life.” What are these words? Why do we need them?

God not only ordains the ends, but also the means to accomplish his ends. In this talk I plan to look at matters like the rearing of covenant children in relation to God’s promises versus the commands he makes to parents and children to accomplish those promises. I plan to look at how, in the church, we deal with different types of conversions, as well as the reality that some of our children never undergo a conversion experience, but nevertheless are Spirit-led (Rom 8:14) Christians. The doctrine of grace, and what that means for how we live in the church, will also be discussed, especially as many Christians have to learn not only that they are saved by grace, but that others are as well and so we need patience, love, and gentleness as evidence of our own gracious attitude towards others who are not at the same place we are.

Infants show from a very early age that they have their own will. How can we do justice to the whole of Scripture’s message when we describe the human will? Is it only bound to sin? Partly free? Like a robot that God controls? Objecting to Erasmus, Luther said the will was utterly bound to sin; Calvin said that there is no such thing as God “permitting” sin, for whatever he permits, he wills. Does this mean God has willed us to sin? Are we really responsible for sin? Today the discussion continues between those who describe the Reformed view as “compatibilism” and those who object that this philosophical category doesn’t fit what we confess in the Canons of Dort. I intend to present the options in a simple but clear manner, to help us preach and believe the whole doctrine of God with clarity and conviction.

Which news is better: that the battle has been won completely or that most of the fighting still has to be done? Did Jesus only make possible our salvation, or did he actually and fully complete it? In this presentation I hope to present the Son of God as all-glorious in his cross and resurrection, and help us preach the real good news that Jesus has fully redeemed, saved, reconciled, justified, and adopted those for whom he lovingly laid down his life.

Though the Synod of Dordt met primarily to address the Arminian controversy, the Heidelberg Catechism came up six times on the synod’s agenda. This presentation explores the six ways the synod dealt with the catechism: (1) The synod discussed ways to enhance regular catechism preaching in Sunday afternoon services. (2) It discussed ways to improve the manner of catechizing, for both youth and adults, in the home, school and church. (3) The Remonstrants (Arminians) presented their observations and suggestions for revision of the Heidelberg Catechism. (4) The Palatine delegation from Heidelberg gave its response to the Remonstrant observations. (5) The catechism was examined by the synod and approved by all delegations, both Dutch and foreign, as consistent with the Word of God. (6) The synod prepared forms of subscription, by which ministers, theologians, and teachers were required to affirm that the Catechism, along with the Belgic Confession and Canons of Dordt, fully agree with the Word of God.

A church’s polity is important. This is where the rubber of faith and confession hit the road of life and practice. In churches with a Dutch Reformed background, the Synod of Dort is not only known for producing the Canons of Dort against Arminianism but also the Church Order of Dort against (Dutch) Erastianism. Dort polity is much appreciated by us Reformed folk as it brings to expression the real gospel of being united to Christ and his body, and being free in Christ and his body. My speech will begin by outlining the development of polity in The Netherlands from the 1560s to 1619. Next I intend to pay attention to some particulars: the role of the offices and congregation, confessional subscription, regulations regarding worship, and the relationship between local churches. This latter point will also be compared to the situation in other Reformed polities, and the presentation will close with a brief overview of the implementation of Dort polity in the centuries after the Synod of Dort.

I will give a brief history of the Remonstrants, but will focus in on a couple of key areas in their theology, such as their controversial doctrine of justification by faith. Most assume the Arminians were basically (in)famous for their free will doctrine, but I want to show how one error leads to several. That said, I will also discuss how Arminians are still Christians and how salvation is found by believing in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. I will also highlight the evolution of Arminianism over the centuries, what it can look like today, and the potential pastoral difficulties one has in dealing with modern-day Arminian thought.

This presentation, with plenty of visuals, will put us on the ground in the old city of Dordrecht in 1618–1619, to depict the circumstances of the Synod of Dordt. We will explore the convening of the synod by the Dutch government, and the facility where the synod was held. The composition of the participants demonstrates that this was a national synod with an international character, with theologians from eight foreign territories. After examining the agenda and procedures of the synod, we will survey the course of the synod’s deliberations that lasted 6 ½ months. These fall into four phases: (1) Pro-Acta sessions, before the arrival of the Remonstrants (Arminians); (2) five weeks of procedural wrangling with the fifteen cited Remonstrants; (3) the synod’s response to the Remonstrant case by drafting and approving the Canons; and (4) the Post-Acta sessions dealing with various Dutch ecclesiastical matters. Finally, we will explore the meticulous process by which the Canons of Dordt were drafted, as the Synod’s response to the Remonstrant objections concerning predestination and related points.

Election. Limited Atonement. Perseverance of the saints. These can be difficult doctrines, both to understand and to apply. Questions multiply. Is it fair that God only chooses some and limits the atoning work of Christ to them? How can we confess perseverance when we know people—even those close to us—who once worshipped with us but have now turned away from the Lord? And here are some more, but slightly different, questions. What if election is viewed through the lens of adoption? What if the saints only persevere because God is a Father who will not give up on his very own children? In short, what happens when we remember that the real, sovereign grace of God is a thoroughly paternal mercy? May “God’s fatherly face” shine upon us as we explore this truth together (Canons of Dort, V:5).

NOTE: This speech was given at the CRTS Conference 2018 but recorded at a later date due to technical difficulties at the conference.

In this article, Dr. de Visser takes a look at Netflix's popular show "13 Reasons Why" and offers some insight for Christian viewers. Is there anything positive that can be said about this controversial new show?

It began five hundred years ago and it still matters—someone rediscovered grace. What was the Great Reformation? Why did this change happen? This opening presentation will define the event, lament the errors of the medieval church, rejoice in the scriptural incentive for reform, and review the many ways the Spirit used the reformers (preaching, prayer, publications, psalm singing, etc.). A dynamic and exciting picture will emerge to motivate us to keep spreading the gospel of grace today. Audio only.

The Reformation made it abundantly clear that we are saved by faith, not by works. At the same time, “faith is the assurance of things hoped for” (Heb. 11:1). But what if I don’t always feel so assured in my faith? Must I be certain in my faith to be certain of my salvation? Following John Calvin as our theological guide, we will explore the challenging terrain of faith, assurance, and justification, with a special focus on comforting those who struggle “with various doubts of the flesh” (Canons of Dort, 5.11). Audio only.

The overarching goal of early Reformed theology was the guarding of God's glory. Early French-language reformers like Guillaume Farel and John Calvin focused their critique upon all teachings and practices that—whether directly or indirectly—in their view detracted from God’s glory. Late medieval Christianity in particular had established practices that diverted recognition from God to the person. Farel and Calvin maintained that one must listen to God himself via Scripture in order to understand how God’s glory is robbed and how it ought to be acknowledged. Thus the conference will close with Soli Deo Gloria.

Liberal views of the Bible see it as a book that is meant merely to inform rather than as the Spirit’s tool and power to transform. But when we lose confidence in the dynamic character of Scripture we would do well to listen to how the reformers grasped the living power of God’s Word. For reformer Ulrich Zwingli, the Bible was alive with soul-piercing, heart-discerning, life-giving potency. He believed that even the simplest person that approached God’s word with humble sincerity could come away with a rich knowledge of God, a deep inner delight in his grace, and a lively hope for the future.

Martin Luther was the most important theologian since Aquinas and the most original thinker since Augustine. His writings divided the western church, sparked revolts, and produced the greatest flurry of literature the world had ever seen. Perhaps no single person ever had more people trying to destroy his work and yet Luther was easily the most published man in the sixteenth century: what Luther wrote, Europe read. It is rare that we get to glimpse a giant, but in this lecture we’ll look at Luther for who he really was: a great man whose greatest accomplishment was to persuade a dying world that its only hope was a fresh understanding of the sufficiency of Christ’s person and work.

Mr. Pieter Torenvliet (retired school principal, Abbotsford, BC) presents an evaluation form that could be used by elders who are called to visit and observe Catechism classes. Recorded during the 2017 January Interim semester.

To view the powerpoint presentation that goes with this video please see here.

To view the lesson plan on Lord's Day 8, please see here. and here. To view the student worksheet on Lord's Day 8, please see here.

Mr. Pieter Torenvliet presents the results of a survey he conducted among ministers in Canada and Australia, asking them about their approach to and experiences with Catechism teaching. Recorded during the 2017 January Interim semester.

The powerpoint presentation that goes with this video is available here.

Do you want to delve into the riches of the gospel more deeply and live out of them more consistently? This three-volume set explores the central truths of Scripture so that those who are already familiar with the basics of the Christian faith continue to grow in understanding the height, breadth, and depth of God's Holy Word. At the same time, our God gave us sound doctrine for daily living. Thus, each chapter draws connections to everyday life as it is experienced by moms and dads, teens and young adults, married and unmarried, as well as people who are healthy, sick, happy, and distressed--in short, real people living real lives in a really broken world.

Rev. Peter Holtvüwer describes the Psalms Project, a massive digital library of information and homiletical insights on the psalms, especially focussing on the lines that can be drawn to Christ. He uses Psalm 35 as an example. Recorded during the 2016 January Interim Semester.

Dr. Andrew H. Selle, Executive Director and counselor at Christian Counseling & Mediation, describes the factors that frequently lead to church conflict and the lays out some principles for peaceful decision-making and unity within the Christian church. Recorded during the 2016 January Interim Semester.

Rev. Clarence Vandervelde, pastor of the Rehoboth Canadian Reformed Church in Burlington-Waterdown, explores the merits of preaching from notes instead of a full manuscript. Recorded during the 2016 January Interim Semester.

Dr. Andrew H. Selle, Executive Director and counselor at Christian Counseling & Mediation, lays the theological foundation for a culture of peacemaking in the Christian church and life. Recorded during the 2016 January Interim Semester.

At the 2016 CRTS Conference, Dr. Arjan de Visser describes the characteristics of the renowned preaching of the famous preacher and theologian Klaas Schilder—but considers whether some of those characteristics might have jeopardized his chances at passing a Canadian Reformed Classical Exam.

At the 2016 CRTS Conference, Dr. James Visscher, Emeritus Pastor of the Canadian Reformed Church in Langley, B.C., explains the importance of preaching from Leviticus, and offers guidance and principles for doing this in relevant ways for our present day.

Rev. Eric Watkins, pastor and church planter at the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine, FL, uses the model of Hebrews 11 to illustrate that the saints of the Old Testament played out the drama of redemption which would be fulfilled in Christ, and that the church of today is called to do the same.

We are in the last days. Living well in such a time depends upon believing that Christ has conquered sin and death and is ruling today, alive at God's right hand. These essays on the end time will help Christians live like people who really have eternal life already--the life of the Spirit of Christ who lives and moves in both Christ and Christians.

Dr. Lawrence W. Bilkes, Emeritus Pastor of the Free Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, MI, explains the importance of preaching the whole Gospel of God, and not merely those elements that are popular or pleasing to the culture of our present day.

Dr. Lawrence W. Bilkes, Emeritus Pastor of the Free Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, MI, explains why true preaching presents the Gospel to the mind, the heart, the soul, and the conscience of the hearers.

Rev. Eric Watkins, pastor and church planter at the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine, FL, shows how the objectivity of redemptive-historical preaching and the metanarrative to which it points answers many of the questions that dominate our postmodern context.

Rev. Jack Moesker, Emeritus Pastor of the Canadian Reformed Church in Owen Sound, ON, offers guidance and principles for consistories to do effective sermon evaluations for the benefit of their pastor and congregation.

Rev. Eric Watkins, pastor and church planter at the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine, FL, shares his personal story and the lessons that he has learned about how to bring the gospel to the lost without compromising the faith.

Christians have hope in Christ, not despair. But whoever seriously reflects on life apart from Christ ultimately finds only despair, and this is something Scripture also teaches us, especially in Ecclesiastes.

In this meditation, Dr. Van Vliet focuses on our inclination to worry about the future. Why do we not have to worry about tomorrow? And how do we resist our inclination to worry about what lies in store for us?

A meditation on the well-known command of the Lord Jesus Christ: do not worry. Is it wrong before the Lord to worry, or is worry just a natural part of life in this world? How does Jesus teach us to overcome the anxieties in our lives?

A chapel delivered by Dr. Jason Van Vliet in which he deals with the busyness of our lives. The Preacher offers another, more beautiful, and more encouraging view of time than we often have as we work to complete our many tasks.

In this chapel message, Dr. J. Van Vliet explores the implications of Isaiah 40:26 where the Holy Spirit reveals that our God knows all the stars by name. How many stars are there? And consequently, how many names does God hold in mind? And most importantly, what does this teach us about the glory and power of the God whom we serve?

45th Anniversary Meeting and 40th Convocation of the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary. Dr. Van Raalte's keynote speech was "The Reason for Our Hope: Christ in our Apologetics." It begins at the 24 min 39 s mark in the video.

Recorded during the 2015 CRTS Conference.
Dr. Visscher examines some of the passages which deal with the doctrine of the new earth. Does the fire described by Peter in 2 Peter 3 eliminate the possibility of a new earth? Just how much can we expect of an eternal physical existence, according to Scripture? He also draws some conclusions regarding the question to what degree a new earth can be part of the believer’s hope and the church’s expectation.

How should the Word of God be interpreted and applied today? In this volume, no less than sixteen Reformed scholars from four different countries join together to tackle the hard questions that often arise when we busy ourselves with the weighty responsibility of interpreting Holy Scripture. As iron sharpens iron, so also these Reformed scholars challenge each other and their readers to ask not only how hermeneutics can be done, but ultimately, how it should be done so that God's Word of Truth may be handled correctly (2 Tim 2:15).

This book addresses such fundamental issues through the eyes of Scripture and against the backdrop of North America's dual heritage of Christianity and humanism. Government, politics, and the Bible do not seem like a good mix. But as this book aims to show, the Bible has much wisdom to teach us about the place and role of government and its citizens.

Which fountains of wisdom, which never-failing streams, which wells of joy-filled salvation are we missing out on, if we neglect the Old Testament? In this celebratory volume, fifteen scholars collaborate to explain diverse aspects of the Christian life, with a special focus on drawing lines from the Old Testament.

Offering both a scholarly overview of Farel's life and access to his own words, this book demonstrates the importance of Farel to the Reformation. It will be welcomed not only by scholars engaged in research on French reform movements, but also by students of history, theology, or literature wishing to read some of the earliest theological texts originally written in French.

With this collection, some of the most important studies of Dr. N.H. Gootjes are made available to a wider readership. The topics covered remain as relevant as ever: creation and general revelation, the birth and work of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, the Reformed Confessions, sacraments, and preaching.

This book explores the meaning of five psalms in the Septuagint version (Pss 104, 105, 110, 111, 112), not as interpreted in later reception history but as originally intended by the translator. The author retraces the translator's path, accounting for translation choices by comparing the Greek with its Hebrew source, and measuring the impact of the translator's decisions upon the profile of the Psalter, such as the effect of semantic shifts and the extent to which Hebrew poetic features, lexical links, and Pentateuchal intertextuality have been lost or preserved.

Jason Van Vliet examines Calvin's explanation of the image of God within the times and ecclesiastical circumstances in which he lived. He aims at giving a satisfactory answer to the question of whether Calvin's teaching on this subject can be considered one of the stronger or weaker points of his reformatory work.

A collection of fourteen congregational prayers that can be used by ministers and elders in the worship service. It also includes an appendix with helpful guidelines on how to lead the congregation in prayer.

As the vigorous debate over the New Perspective on Paul will only be decided by means of careful consideration of the relevant Scripture passages, this book makes a significant contribution to the discussion. Interpretations by scholars promoting the New Perspective approach are reviewed in detail and contrasted with those of scholars who are critical toward this method. A detailed analysis of the context and exegesis of Romans 4 completes the work. By suggesting a more nuanced exegesis of Romans 4, this book is able to offer a careful critique of the New Perspective while still noting the positive aspects of this approach.

To rediscover God’s gift of eldership for the church today, we need to go back beyond the New Testament to the origins of the office of elder in ancient Israel. There we discover the enduring principles that guided the elder in antiquity—and that guide the church today. In this book you will develop a renewed understanding of the office of elder and of godly discipline.

The Belgic Confession is one of the most important and oldest doctrinal statements of the Reformed churches. Written in 1561, it became a confession of Protestant believers in the Netherlands in the face of persecution from the Roman Catholic government. Despite its importance, there has been no comprehensive study on the history and background of this confession in English—until now. In this volume, Nicolaas Gootjes explores several key aspects of the confession, including its early history, authorship, authority, translation, revision, and relationship to Calvin and Beza. It is a valuable contribution to the field of Reformation studies.

Dr. J. De Jong’s passion was to search the Scriptures and to bring its treasures, both new and old, to the attention of God’s people. With his insights into God’s Word he was able to encourage, instruct, and comfort many when his meditations were first published in the Clarion magazine. His work retains its value and can be used for personal Bible study and devotions as well as for group study into God’s Word.

The principles underlying the laws respecting worship, clean and unclean, and the care of the poor and needy are as applicable today as they were back then. God’s Word includes the Old Testament laws and their message still needs to be heard. The purpose of these lectures is to show something of the truth and substance of the gospel that is embedded in the Old Testament laws and to help sensitise us to the fact that the New Testament gospel has its basis in the Old Covenant.

“What do you believe about God?
About salvation and redemption? About the Ten Commandments?” These are the kinds of questions young people are confronted with in today’s climate of religious pluralism. This book—originally
designed as a course for public profession of
faith classes—has been structured to help young people answer these questions and to confirm them in their own faith. It presents
an overview of the continental Reformed confessions known as the Three Forms of Unity: the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic
Confession, and the Canons of Dort.

This is the first exhaustive study of the Urim and Thummim since 1824, and in this book Professor Van Dam investigates all of the biblical data concerning them and their connection to the phrase "to inquire of Yahweh / God" in the historical books. He traces the use of the Urim and Thummim from the time of Joshua through the early monarchy under David and describes its apparent disappearance by the time of the classical prophets, where a shift to primarily verbal oracles occurs.

Recorded during the 2015 CRTS Conference.
Dr. Smith proposes a distinction between finding eschatology by way of explication (mining passages containing direct information about the end), by way of implication (exploring typological features, secondary fulfillments, etc.), and by way of application (pulling through eschatological lines; drawing out the significance of a passage for our future hope), illustrating the importance of such a distinction with samples from the book of Psalms. He concludes by asking in what sense an OT book can be called eschatological.

When Christians hear the word "love," they quickly think of 1 Corinthians 13, and rightly so. However, how can the Apostle Paul say that "love never ends," when in reality we see many different situations in which love is put under stress and, at times, even seems to come to an end. God's Word in 1 Corinthians 13:8 forms the basis for this speech by Dr. Van Vliet, given to a youth rally in Ontario in 2014.

November 11 is a day on which to reflect and to remember. Remembrance Day is a day that pushes us beyond the Reformed communities to which we belong and reminds us that we shine as lights in a big universe. It is a day
that jolts us out of our daily routines,
and it reminds us that life is a lot bigger than our personal deadlines and plans. These are the opening thoughts of Dr. Smith's meditation on Ecclesiastes 3:2, 8.

Is there a connection between faith and shame?
We might not think to put them together, but the Bible does. In this article Dr. Smith explores the relationship between faith and shame by way of a brief meditation on Psalm 25.

Divorce and remarriage are not pleasant topics. The beautiful institution of marriage is under siege in our day. The result is that also in Reformed circles the subject needs
to be discussed more and more.
The questions that come up raise sensitive and emotional issues. This publication is a look at what Scripture says on the topic. Highly recommended for office bearers
and also very useful as a guide for Bible discussion groups.

The aim of this book is to set forth the
Scriptural principles of Reformed church polity. The articles will assist churches grappling with the issues of independence and hierarchical government to implement
patterns of church government that model Biblical teaching.

The topic of euthanasia is current and much debated. Does suffering serve a function? Are we to preserve life at all costs and resist death in all situations? Is death a natural consequence of life or is it foreign to human life? Are we to be active or passive with respect to life? These are some of the questions raised when confronted with our human frailty. In this booklet, Dr. Gootjes offers an overview of this topic.

A series of twenty-two articles for ministers of the Word and for all who have to fulfil their service before God. The diverse selection of topics covered include: the responsibilities of parents, Reformed liturgy, preaching, mission, and church government.

Recorded during the 2015 CRTS Conference.
Dr. Tipton argues that 2 Cor 3 does not draw the absolute contrast of letter and Spirit that some might discern. Rather, Paul speaks of what once gave life and righteousness (the letter) by comparing it to the super-abounding righteousness, life and glory of Christ, as well as the life-giving Spirit. The contrast is therefore a relative one that demonstrates how much richer God's people are after Pentecost, in some ways even richer than Adam and Eve in Paradise.

The Heidelberg Catechism, as a summary of God's Word, is used regularly in the afternoon worship service of many Reformed churches. How can the preacher keep his catechism sermons vibrant when he comes back to the same Lord's Days year after year?

Recorded during the 2015 CRTS Conference. Dr. de Visser begins by discussing Biblical foundations for the topic. Next he argues that faithful preaching should have a distinct eschatological quality. Then he examines what eschatological elements are found in the Reformed worship service, including psalms, hymns, and liturgical forms.

A speech delivered at the International Conference of Reformed Education (2013), hosted in Orillia, Ontario. Reformed educators, especially principals, from different countries gathered to explore various facets of Reformed education, including this topic of the identity of the students in the classroom and how that affects the teaching that goes on in that room.

Rev. G.Ph. Van Popta, pastor of Jubilee Canadian Reformed Church in Ottawa, ON, discusses his experiences of preaching through the book of Revelation, and the lessons he has learned. Recorded during the 2012 CRTS Interim Semester.

A speech presented at the CRTS January Interim 2013 dealing with how to arrange various levels of catechetical instructions from a pedagogical point of view. Mrs. Christine van Halen-Faber is the principal of the Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers College.

Dr. G.H. Visscher, professor of New Testament at CRTS, discusses some of the pitfalls that are commonly encountered when preaching through the Gospels, and how to avoid them. Recorded during the 2012 CRTS Interim Semester.

Mr. R. Ludwig, owner of Kitching, Steepe, and Ludwig Funeral Homes, discusses the Christian funeral as a witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus. He also deals with the topic of cremation. Recorded during the 2014 CRTS Interim Semester.

Mr. R. Ludwig, owner of Kitching, Steepe, and Ludwig Funeral Homes, discusses the Christian funeral as a witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus. He also deals with the topic of cremation. Recorded during the 2014 CRTS Interim Semester.

Rev. J. deGelder, minister emeritus of the Flamborough Canadian Reformed Church, discusses the issue of members in the church with homosexual inclinations. Recorded during the 2014 CRTS Interim Semester.

Recorded during the 2015 CRTS Interim Semester. Rev. Jim Witteveen speaks of Mission work among the First Nations of Canada, and its potentials & pitfalls. Rev. Witteveen is a missionary of the Canadian Reformed Church in Smithers, serving in Prince George, B.C., Canada.

Recorded during the 2015 CRTS Interim Semester. Dr. Alan Strange, Professor of Church History at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, discusses the state of confessional presbyterianism and where it seems to be heading.

Recorded during the 2015 CRTS Interim Semester. Rev. Jim Witteveen describes the task of planting a Reformed church in the “Northern Capital of British Columbia." Rev. Witteveen is a missionary of the Canadian Reformed Church in Smithers, serving in Prince George, B.C., Canada.

Recorded during Conference 2014: "Correctly Handling the Word of Truth: Reformed Hermeneutics Today." It is common to speak of the two books of God's revelation: the book of Scripture (special revelation) and the book of creation (general revelation). Support for this approach has been found in Article 2 of the Belgic Confession. However, should the book of creation, and scientific discoveries from it, impact how we interpret the book of Scripture? Or should it be the other way around? Dr. B. Kamphuis responds to this speech.

Recorded during Conference 2014: "Correctly Handling the Word of Truth: Reformed Hermeneutics Today." This address revisits the issue of the authority and function of the church’s creeds and confessions in the interpretation of Scripture. After reviewing the decline of, and challenges to a confessional hermeneutic, in the centuries after the Enlightenment, the more recent emergence of the “theological interpretation” of Scripture is explored. This speech offers a defense of a confessional hermeneutic in the face of contemporary challenges. Dr. Dean Anderson responds to this speech.

Recorded during Conference 2014: "Correctly Handling the Word of Truth: Reformed Hermeneutics Today." This speech begins by considering the role of women in the Greco-Roman world, discusses some aspects of Paul’s views in 1 Corinthians, and then explores to what degree his view was rooted in his convictions about the creation and fall of mankind.

Recorded during Conference 2014: "Correctly Handling the Word of Truth: Reformed Hermeneutics Today." Many scholars have accepted the idea that biblical exegesis should focus on the text rather than on original author's intention. More recently, a third perspective has been added, which focuses on the reader of Scripture. In short, the reader (or: every reader) makes the (or: his/her own) meaning. This speech evaluates that approach.

Recorded during Conference 2014: "Correctly Handling the Word of Truth: Reformed Hermeneutics Today." According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 2, it is the Holy Spirit who teaches us, and the mind of Christ that we receive. This indicates the importance of a soteriological perspective on how we interpret the Bible. Participation in Christ is a central motif in this address. Dr. Alan Strange responds to this speech.

Recorded during Conference 2014: "Correctly Handling the Word of Truth: Reformed Hermeneutics Today." The first part of this speech will present a proposed structure for Jeremiah. A second part introduces and applies some critical methods to test the validity of the proposal. A third part assesses the profits and perils of the critical methods themselves and suggests what a Reformed Old Testament scholar can and cannot say. In this way the structure of the book of Jeremiah serves as a test case for the interplay of confessional integrity and quality control. A panel discussion follows this speech.

Recorded during Conference 2014: "Correctly Handling the Word of Truth: Reformed Hermeneutics Today." In Reformation times both sides were accusing the other of making Scripture a wax nose. Today one may well wonder whether the doctrinal construct of God’s “accommodation” in divine revelation has become a wax nose.

Recorded during Conference 2014: "Correctly Handling the Word of Truth: Reformed Hermeneutics Today." Not only the Biblical text, but also Christian doctrine requires interpretation. First, in discussion with Harnack’s thesis of the Hellenization of the gospel, this speech shows the importance of investigating this historical aspect of dogma. This also has consequences for the character of our commitment to the confession. Further, the catholicity of doctrine will be dealt with. Finally the metaphorical character of doctrine and its consequences will be discussed. Dr. A.J. de Visser responds to this speech.

Recorded during Conference 2014: "Correctly Handling the Word of Truth: Reformed Hermeneutics Today." In discussions on understanding portions of Scripture that narrate historical events, the distinction is being made in conservative circles between Scripture’s truth claim and truth value. This speech asks whether such a distinction and method of determining truth and meaning in narrative passages is warranted and necessary as a model for biblical exegesis. Dr. van Bekkum responds to this speech.

Recorded during Conference 2014: "Correctly Handling the Word of Truth: Reformed Hermeneutics Today." Christian ethics is one area in which the modern and postmodern challenge is felt strongly. New questions arise about which the Bible does not seem to speak. Existing answers to old questions are attacked and give way to new proposals. How do Christians deal with this?
Dr. T.G. Van Raalte responds to de Bruijne's speech.

Recorded during the 2015 CRTS Conference.
Some people believe that hell doesn’t exist, and that in the end, everyone will be saved. Other people believe that hell needs to be redefined. What exactly should we believe about hell? What does the Bible say about it? And doesn’t preaching about hell teach people to live in fear rather than faith? These questions, and more, are explored in this presentation.

Recorded during the 2015 CRTS Conference.
Dr. Van Dam begins by asking whether we have a political and social task. This question is answered in the affirmative based on the biblical evidence. How are we to realize this responsibility? Is the recent two-kingdom approach an option? Finally, what sort of expectations can we have as we go about exercising our Christian witness as anointed pilgrim servants of the King, Jesus Christ?

Recorded during the 2015 CRTS Conference.
Dr. Van Raalte sets his talk within the framework that the New Creation is the thing we really are aiming for, whereas going to live with God in heaven is an intermediate step towards that goal. Within that framework, he argues against the view that persons are only physical and against the theory of soul sleep. Conversely, he supports the view that believers, in their souls, are immediately raptured into heaven's glory upon death and enjoy an ongoing existence there until Christ's return.